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Post by djensenmusic on Jul 8, 2020 15:22:59 GMT -7
Hello all! I've been a forum member for quite a while but this is my first post. First of all, I wanted to compliment all of you on your wealth of knowledge and willingness to help other members. Some forums can get pretty nasty, pretty quickly and I've never seen that here. That speaks volumes!
Anyway, I'm thinking of picking up a Ghia (or perhaps another DB4) but I wanted to get some advice. I'm looking for the purest, most dynamic, edge-of-breakup Z I can get my hands on. I love the "2 knobs and the truth" idea, as I'm really trying to improve my technique. I like to ride the guitar volume and vary my pick attack to go from clean to mild overdrive and kick in some sort of OD/Boost/Fuzz for lead tones. I love it when an amp will compress slightly when you dig in.
From the research I've done, it sounds like the Ghia fits this description perfectly. I've owned or played a variety of Z's over the years, but I've never had the chance to test drive a Ghia. My concern (which could be completely unwarranted) is that the Ghia may not be loud enough at a moderate band volume unmic'd without being overly-distorted or compressed.
I had a Route 66 which was glorious but way too loud at it's sweet spot, a MAZ 38 Mk II with a 1/2 power switch which was plenty loud enough on 1/2 power but I much preferred the tone and clarity on full power, and I briefly owned a DB4 which was way too loud at it's sweet spot on full power but I really liked the overall tone. I definitely like mid-forward amps. This is the tone I'm trying to achieve (as well as the chops, holy jeez):
For a volume reference, if the Ghia is anywhere near as loud at 12-1 o'clock on the Volume as the non-master volume Monza is at roughly 10-11 o'clock Vol and 10-11 o'clock Drive, then the Ghia will be plenty loud for most situations I'll be in. I have an oversized V Boutique 1x12 with an Alnico Cream, but I'm open to swapping that out for a Gold if the Cream is too dark for the Ghia. Sorry for the long-winded post. I appreciate any guidance you can provide. Whaddya think? Should I be looking at a Ghia? a DB4? a Z28?
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Jul 8, 2020 17:34:31 GMT -7
Not sure why you are considering a DB 4 as you said it was too loud. Great amp, but why confuse or second guess yourself. (Like I’ve never done that) The Ghia is plenty loud for most situations I’ve played, as was my Maz jr. Currently I’m running the Ghia in a 1x10 Gold combo and having a blast with it. I can’t imagine it not being enough, but if you need a little more headroom swap speakers. Can’t speak about a Z28. Never owned one, but also had a RT 66 and concur on its greatness.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2020 17:35:00 GMT -7
As long as you don’t use a low efficiency volume controlling speaker like a Greenback you should be fine with the volume from the Ghia.
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Post by djensenmusic on Jul 8, 2020 21:16:47 GMT -7
Thank you both for your replies! And j4gitr, you're right: I'm holding onto the DB4 idea and further confusing myself because of that video I posted. That is exactly the tone I've always wanted, although the DB4 combo I owned didn't sound anything like that in person. Maybe the Gold wasn't broken in yet or maybe the tubes were bad (I bought it used from GC) but I found it to be harsh and brittle not darker and punchy as some have commented. I should have given it more time but since it was an impulse buy and considering I would have played it on 1/2 power most of the time I felt like it was overkill so I returned it.
I know that 18 Z watts can be very loud. If the Ghia is anywhere near as stout as the Monza it'll be plenty loud enough.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jul 9, 2020 7:49:29 GMT -7
I've got to give an encouraging vote for the Carmen Ghia. I've got one in a studio cab with a 10" Gold speaker, and it's got great tone. Remarkable bottom end, and a super midrange tone. Not shrill, yet it cuts through the mix. Love that amp, and I've got several other Z amps. All great in their own way, but the CG is unique.
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Post by John on Jul 9, 2020 14:22:44 GMT -7
I had a 1x10 Ghia combo. Unless your drummer is stupid loud and hard hitting, the Ghia should be enough. (or stuck next to a deaf bass player...ha ha) I played maybe 100+ gigs with my ghia combo. Best grab and go I've ever had. When it's 2am and you want to get the hell out of there, it's small and light, and easy to put in the car.
And it's tone is great. Yes, edge of breakup is wonderful with the ghia. And yes, some nice compression once it gets cookin'.
I've had a route 66, a Z-28 (among other Z amps) ....sounds like the Ghia is a good fit. The ghia will be closer to the tone in the video than a Route 66 or Z-28.
Also, many here in the ghia forum like the V30 speaker. While I never used a V30 with my ghia, others have and it's been mentioned enough times that it's a popular choice. The V30 will give you some 'mid forward' tone. (and it's a LOUD speaker)
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Post by simpleton on Jul 9, 2020 16:32:49 GMT -7
A GHIA is a great amp to play. You won’t be fiddling with amp knobs....you will learn how to use your guitar knobs, pickups, and fingers to get what you want tonally. Personally, a head and multiple cabs would give you the most tonal and volume options....a 1x10 vs 2x10 vs 1x12 ...they all feel different.
The Ghia sounds amazing with a Les Paul ( P90’s were my favorite). Every guitar will sound JUST LIKE its self. Speakers will be important to fully tune your ear and needs to the amp. The Ghia is a perfect amp and nothing can replace it.
I felt the P90’s got me into the edge of breakup nicely....lower output pickups may feel cleaner.
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Post by T-R☼CK ♫ on Jul 10, 2020 7:38:26 GMT -7
I love the CG so much, I had to have two! Pardon the blurry img... it was "late"
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Post by detuned on Jul 10, 2020 8:03:44 GMT -7
You sound like you really want a Ghia (and nobody would argue with that - it's a classic for a reason!), so try one. If it's not *quite* loud enough, you can try a speaker swap to get you there, or a 2X12. Or if it's a little too loud, do the same, but with a less efficient speaker. #EnterTheRabbitHole
Or, if it's significantly not loud enough, get another Ghia and run them both at once. Or look for an old Mazerati, or the Anni version the Doc did a few years back - they pop up from time to time. I heard the Anni version in person at Z-Fest a few years back, and even though it's not really my sound, I was *sorely* tempted. Great amps!
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Post by djensenmusic on Jul 10, 2020 13:40:31 GMT -7
Thank you all for your feedback, I really appreciate it! I just pulled the trigger on a 2016 Ghia 1x12 combo on Reverb. It's very clean and comes loaded with the Vintage 30 and (I believe) JJs all around. It looks brand new. I'm going to A/B the V30 and the Alnico Cream that I have in a separate 1x12 cab in a band situation to determine which works best for me in the combo. I think the seller is shipping it either today or tomorrow from the East Coast to CA so it's gonna be a loooong week.
Speaking of #EnteringTheRabbitHole, detuned: which tube brands/types have you all been the happiest with in the Ghia? I think there are a few threads that go into a great amount of detail on that subject (which I will obsess over while I wait for my Ghia to arrive) but it seems that the consensus is that NOS glass in the preamp makes a noticeable difference. Time to message Mike at KCA...
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Post by GuitarZ on Jul 10, 2020 14:04:31 GMT -7
Congrats! I think you'll enjoy that amp. I didn't chime in earlier since my Ghia volume knob only has two positions: Off & Full On! I guess I'd be good if it was a 'one knob' amp. I've always ran it into an airbrake, IsoCab, or, now my Ox. So, I couldn't speak to the 'edge of breakup'. But, all true above. I do use my guitar volume knob to control rhythm & lead. The Ghia reacts nicely. I love it with my strat although sometimes pop in a clean boost for a little more overdrive/sustain. And, I love it with my P-90 Les Paul where it is really smooth. Enjoy!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2020 14:54:30 GMT -7
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jul 10, 2020 15:42:01 GMT -7
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Post by pcns on Jul 10, 2020 20:31:18 GMT -7
everybody needs to own a Ghia
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Post by John on Jul 11, 2020 6:10:01 GMT -7
My Ghia originally had JJ's for the power tubes. One of them cracked, so I needed new. So I put the Russian 6n14n tubes in. They seemed 'firmer'. Perhaps just a touch more headroom, but that could be my imagination. But there was slightly noticeable different in the attack and firmness of it. Neither better or worse...just different.
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Post by detuned on Jul 11, 2020 8:08:45 GMT -7
Speaking of #EnteringTheRabbitHole, detuned: which tube brands/types have you all been the happiest with in the Ghia? I think there are a few threads that go into a great amount of detail on that subject (which I will obsess over while I wait for my Ghia to arrive) but it seems that the consensus is that NOS glass in the preamp makes a noticeable difference. Time to message Mike at KCA... The Doc has some pretty strong opinions about what tubes work best in his amps, which you can read here. Otherwise, I've had good results with places like Tube Depot, who are happy to recommend. Not sure how their other tubes are, but I have a set of 6L6s in my old Fender Bandmaster from TAD - think I got them through Humbucker. They have a page of kits, many of which are pre-picked for the Doc's amps here. If you don't find one for the Ghia, I'm sure they'd be happy to put one together for you. And you thought speakers were going down the rabbit hole... :-)
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Post by jhanks on Jul 12, 2020 3:26:33 GMT -7
CG is the only amp left in my house. Highly recommend. Plenty of volume with right speaker.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jul 12, 2020 7:27:44 GMT -7
Don't ask me what I think about Ghias! BTW - my first car was a Karmann Ghia! Truth!
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Post by djensenmusic on Jul 17, 2020 15:53:31 GMT -7
Thank you all SO much for your recommendations and feedback! I really do appreciate it. The Ghia arrived today in perfect condition. The first thing I noticed was that the 1x12 combo is MUCH lighter than I thought it would be. It's a 2016, so I don't think its the Doc's "Lite" combo but I could be wrong. Either way, it's a breeze to carry and I love it. It came loaded with the stock V30 and JJ tubes all around. I haven't had much time to crank it up and get into it yet but within the first few minutes I could tell that:
1) It's plenty loud enough with the volume at noon-1 o'clock for just about any situation I'll be in 2) It's as touch sensitive and as "pure" tonally as I was hoping it would be - I like that there's nowhere to hide 3) The V30 probably needs a bit more break-in time but I bet it sounds great in a band context
One thing I'm really impressed with, that I didn't expect, is just how much the amp "barks" and dramatically increases in volume when you dig in. I feel like I am able to double, almost triple, the volume just by varying my pick attack with the volume around noon. Of course, most tube amps do this but I was surprised at just how much volume the Ghia has on tap when you go from a light pick attack to a heavy pick attack; like I would imagine a Z wreck or Trainwreck would respond. Love that. I have an Alnico Cream in a 1x12 cab that I'm dying to try with the Ghia as I think this could be a perfect match. Anyway, I really appreciate all of the comments and I'll try to post some videos this weekend.
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Post by John on Jul 17, 2020 16:16:34 GMT -7
I have often found the V30 to sound a bit nasal when playing alone. But when playing with a band, it cuts RIGHT through the mix.
When you talk about the different volumes due to pick attack....you'll find yourself using that as an additional musical expression.
With the Ghia only being an 18 watt amp, it may take a long time to break in a 60 watt V30. It's meant to handle a lot of power. I bought a new V30 new once. I thought it sounded terrible. VERY nasal and upper midrange. I put it on a shelf for a few years, then I heard they need to be broken in. So I wrapped the speaker in a sleeping bag and hooked it up to my PA head and a synth I had that had drum loops. I beat the livin' crap out of that speaker for several days. And I really got the cone moving...about 1" total back and forth. Then I put the speaker back in a cabinet and wow....I loved it. It was missing bass. And all that time drum looping really loosened up the cone. Now the speaker was balanced.
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Post by GuitarZ on Jul 17, 2020 16:42:53 GMT -7
With the Ghia only being an 18 watt amp, it may take a long time to break in a 60 watt V30. It's meant to handle a lot of power. My first experience with the V30 was in my Randall IsoCab. So, I was cranking my Ghia at full volume into it. That's the first time I was ever introduced to 'cone cry'. I think it's a high E or F# or high C# on my b-string that causes it. Not sure if it's a one-off with my speaker. But, I was always scratching my head why a 60 watt speaker would have an issue with an 18 watt amp. I swapped in my Greenback (25 watts) and never had an issue with cone cry. Anyway, this really doesn't pertain to this thread other than it was my Ghia and a V30. I do pop in the V30s from my Ox with the Ghia (although I think most are closed backed 4x12s). They do sound good.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jul 17, 2020 16:44:03 GMT -7
Thank you all SO much for your recommendations and feedback! I really do appreciate it. The Ghia arrived today in perfect condition. The first thing I noticed was that the 1x12 combo is MUCH lighter than I thought it would be. It's a 2016, so I don't think its the Doc's "Lite" combo but I could be wrong. Either way, it's a breeze to carry and I love it. It came loaded with the stock V30 and JJ tubes all around. I haven't had much time to crank it up and get into it yet but within the first few minutes I could tell that: 1) It's plenty loud enough with the volume at noon-1 o'clock for just about any situation I'll be in 2) It's as touch sensitive and as "pure" tonally as I was hoping it would be - I like that there's nowhere to hide 3) The V30 probably needs a bit more break-in time but I bet it sounds great in a band context One thing I'm really impressed with, that I didn't expect, is just how much the amp "barks" and dramatically increases in volume when you dig in. I feel like I am able to double, almost triple, the volume just by varying my pick attack with the volume around noon. Of course, most tube amps do this but I was surprised at just how much volume the Ghia has on tap when you go from a light pick attack to a heavy pick attack; like I would imagine a Z wreck or Trainwreck would respond. Love that. I have an Alnico Cream in a 1x12 cab that I'm dying to try with the Ghia as I think this could be a perfect match. Anyway, I really appreciate all of the comments and I'll try to post some videos this weekend. Glad you're enjoying the amp. One of the other things to play with on Zs is the guitar volume. It is amazing how much the GV can influence the tone of the amp.
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Post by bubs42 on Jul 18, 2020 7:55:27 GMT -7
You can't go wrong with a Ghia. Now go get you a Z28! LOL
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Post by LT on Jul 18, 2020 15:55:24 GMT -7
I gigged a 1-10 Ghia for several years with my 8pc horn band. As others have said, the right speaker is important. Mine had a Red Fang and I never ran out of clean headroom. Such a great amp!
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Post by djensenmusic on Jul 18, 2020 17:22:18 GMT -7
So I A/B'd the V30 in the Ghia combo and the Alnico Cream in the 1x12 extension cabinet. In the extension cab the Cream was way too dark and dull-sounding. I decided to try the Cream in the Ghia combo and I absolutely love it! The Cream is much brighter and more alive sounding in the combo cab than it was in the extension cab (which is a V Boutique oversized 1x12 that I would never describe as dark sounding with other amps).
The Alnico Cream in the Ghia is bright and articulate in a good way, not harsh at all. It compresses wonderfully when I dig in, and has plenty of mids and low end. If anything, I really prefer the FEEL of the cream over the V30. With a Tele the Ghia stays fairly clean(ish) up until around noon, which I like. I'm using an MXR Custom Badass Modified OD (M77) set as a light overdrive and a Keeley Fuzz Head; both with stellar results. The Fuzz Head sounds more like a Tone Bender than a Fuzz Face with the Ghia, which I prefer. With my Marshall Studio Vintage combo it sounded more like a Fuzz Face.
I tried using my Air Brake with the Ghia cranked up to 2-3 o'clock on the volume, Air Brake on click 3 or 4 and It was pretty harsh and buzzy in my opinion. I much preferred the Ghia set clean(ish) and using pedals to goose the front end.
I do have a tube question: is V2 for tone control or is that a Phase Inverter? I've matched the Doc's tube recommendations: JJ ecc83 in V1, Tung Sol 12ax7 (not balanced) in V2 (it had a JJ 5751), JJ EL84's and a JJ 5Y3. I have some matched and balanced JJ ECC83's if V2 is a Phase Inverter. Does V2 require a matched & balanced tube? Anyone else experience harsh/fizzy tones with an attenuator?
Thanks again for all of your feedback!
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jul 19, 2020 4:38:40 GMT -7
V2 is strictly a phase inverter in the Ghia. As far as matching a phase inverter, I have mixed feelings about it. It's kind of like whether you prefer symmetrical or asymmetrical clipping in an overdrive pedal, but not nearly as drastic a difference. I don't worry much about it personally. About attenuation, it's been my experience that any amp will get fizzy if you over attenuate it. It crushes the tone. I've got a Z Brake Lite in my 1x10 Ghia combo with a 10" Gold speaker. It sounds fine until I get to click 4, then it starts sounding a little squashed. I love the way the Ghia breaks up when you get it up around 2:00 or 3:00 on the Volume control, but it's pretty loud at that point, so I use pedals with mine too.
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Post by LT on Jul 19, 2020 8:25:35 GMT -7
On attenuation, I agree with Dave ^^^. My Ghia had a Brakelite but I greatly preferred to keep it off and set the amp to cleanish, then goose it with OD's or an EQ pedal.
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Post by DRZ on Jul 19, 2020 12:51:41 GMT -7
On attenuation, I agree with Dave ^^^. My Ghia had a Brakelite but I greatly preferred to keep it off and set the amp to cleanish, then goose it with OD's or an EQ pedal. That does work great with the Ghia. Not many players realize the amazing clean tone that a Ghia has. Though it's not very loud it is kick as$ harmonic and rich, clean to die for. Z
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jul 19, 2020 14:37:28 GMT -7
That clean is my favorite sound out of the Ghia. Put a great overdrive / distortion pedal in front and it's just a killer combination.
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Post by djensenmusic on Jul 19, 2020 19:17:04 GMT -7
Wow the man himself! Thanks for chiming in, Doc! What a great amp design. With a micro adjustment to the Tone knob, I can easily dial-in a sound that compliments any of the guitars I plug into it. And with the Alnico Cream in the Ghia combo it's plenty loud enough for me and it sounds WONDERFUL with that speaker.
Premiumplus (Dave), what are some of your favorite low-to-medium overdrives with the Ghia? One thing I discovered right away is that the Ghia reveals characteristics in guitars, pickups, pedals, etc that I haven't heard with other amps. I definitely see this as positive but it is opening up a variety of rabbit holes regarding tubes, pedals, pickups, cables, etc.
I just pulled the trigger on a Bearfoot FX Honey Bee Overdrive so I'm really looking forward to trying that pedal with the Ghia. I also put a Tung Sol 12ax7 in V1 and a matched & balanced JJ ECC83 in V2 and it sounds a lot smoother at higher volumes (around 2-3 o'clock).
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